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Dinged-up Fowler rests, pinch-hits in ninth

4/1/13: Dexter Fowler takes a John Axford pitch deep to right field to even the score at 4 in the top of the ninth inning

By Jack Etkin
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Special to MLB.com |

DENVER -- Center fielder Dexter Fowler was not in the starting lineup on Sunday. He was hit with a pitch on the right hand on Saturday and fouled a ball off his left foot last week.

"Dexter's been getting dinged up over the last week or so," manager Walt Weiss said. "Then on top of that, day game after a night game, I just felt like it was the right time to give Dexter a day [off]."

Fowler pinch-hit in the ninth inning of Sunday's 5-4 loss to the D-backs, drawing a one-out walk before being stranded at third base with two outs representing the tying run.

After Fowler was hit with a Trevor Cahill pitch in the third inning Saturday night, trainer Keith Dugger brought Fowler into his office and said he took seven images of Fowler's hand and wrist with a fluoroscope that Dugger had just received Saturday.

"It's on trial right now, but it was perfect," Dugger said of the device.

Fowler stayed in the game and finished 0-for-3. He has one hit in his past 15 at-bats, but Weiss said what Fowler has done lately at the plate was not the reason he wasn't in the lineup.

"He's had some quick at-bats, and they're mounting up a little bit," Weiss said. "But I'm not too concerned about that. Dexter's been swinging the bat really well. I'm more concerned about the physical thing."

Jack Etkin is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.